“I may be speaking to some who can say, with an emphasis, that they oftentimes find great crops of thistles springing up in their hearts, and they have to keep the sickle of sacred mortification going to cut them down, and they try if possible to dig them up by the roots. But thus it is; you cannot expect a perfect life of happiness in an imperfect world Eke this. No; your Savior carried the cross, and you will have a cross of some kind or other to carry after him. ??Thorns also and thistles shall it bring forth to thee.?? Spurgeon, C. H.
Christianity,Wednesday, January 11, 2006
” Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds,” (James 1:2, NIV)
What a wacky statement this seems at first glance. It almost seems neurotic to be joyful in the face of trials. If I lost my job, the last thing I would feel is joy. Somehow, James is telling us to consider our trials with joy.
When I experience trials, I often treat the situation as if I was struck with misfortune. I often misplace things around the house. I feel like a man with a horrible curse. I’m sentenced to search for my lost items for life. Is this the right attitude?
“because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him. But when he asks, he must believe and not doubt, because he who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind.” (James 1:3-6, NIV)
James is telling us that these trials are for a purpose. It’s not simply bad luck, or misfortune. God has brought these trials so that we may be more mature and complete. I make the mistake of not attempting to defeat the trial. I ignore the trial altogether and consider myself a victim of the consequences. I’m simply someone who has to suffer.
God’s trials are meant to be defeated. William Barclay wrote:
“When Israel came into the Promised Land, God did not remove the people who were already there. He left them so that Israel might be tested in the struggle against them (Judges 2:22; 3:1, 4). The experiences in Israel were tests which went to the making of the people of Israel (Deuteronomy 4:34; 7:19).”
The trials that God gives us are not meant for us to be defeated. They are meant for us to soar and becomes stronger. Like the athlete who lifts weights to become stronger, we lift the weights of our trials to become stronger. As we become stronger, the small trials are more easily defeated and we become more mature.
Christianity,Monday, January 09, 2006
“Book of Daniel” aired Friday night. At first I found the synopsys of this show offensive.
Here’s a little intro from the American Family Association (AFA).
NBC is promoting “The Book of Daniel” as a serious drama about Christian people and the Christian faith. The main character is Daniel Webster, a drug-addicted Episcopal priest whose wife depends heavily on her mid-day martinis.
Webster regularly sees and talks with a very unconventional white-robed, bearded Jesus. The Webster family is rounded out by a 23-year-old homosexual Republican son, a 16-year-old daughter who is a drug dealer, and a 16-year-old adopted son who is having sex with the bishop’s daughter. At the office, his lesbian secretary is sleeping with his sister-in-law.
NBC and the mainstream media call it “edgy,” “challenging” and “courageous.” The series is written by Jack Kenny, a practicing homosexual who describes himself as being “in Catholic recovery,” and is interested in Buddhist teachings about reincarnation and isn’t sure exactly how he defines God and/or Jesus. “I don’t necessarily know that all the myth surrounding him (Jesus) is true,” he said.
NBC considers The Book of Daniel a positive portrayal of Christ and Christians.
Jenn and I tried to watch this show. But let’s put the offensive parts aside. This show is just horrible by any standard. The characters were just a mess and unlike the show “Married with Children” it wasn’t even funny. At least sitcoms have the formula of creating disfunctional characters that make you laugh. This show has plenty of disfunction, but it’s just a pain to watch. We couldn’t survive 45 minutes of the 2 hour premiere.
The reviews around the country are coming in. Try doing a google search on “Book of Daniel Review”. You’ll see a lot of criticism of this show. It’s just a bad show altogether. I don’t think Christians have anything to worry about. I don’t see how anyone can love this show. It’s a big waste of time. If there are people watching show, I think they must be a glutten for punishment. This show is nothing but punishment to it’s viewers.
Family,Sunday, December 25, 2005
Dear Friends and Family,
We had a wonderful year in sunny California. We were blessed with Matthew in May. He is now 7 months old and experiencing his first Christmas. You can bet he?s getting plenty of gifts his first year.
San Jose is a super busy place during the holidays. Although we have three large malls in San Jose, the traffic for our Valley Fair mall started a quarter mile before the freeway exit! Thankfully, we had a secret back route. We finished our shopping and can breathe a sigh of relief.
Jenn and I have been working in the junior high ministry at Church on the Hill. We are having lots of fun while serving a wonderful God who is the supreme giver of gifts. So let?s not forget the real reason for the season. Celebrate that little baby Jesus born in Bethlehem.
?She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.?? (Matthew 1:21, NIV)
Have a Merry Christmas,
Happy Birthday to Jesus,
and Have a Happy New Year!
News,Sunday, December 25, 2005
A story with the “Christmas Spirit” that sometimes seems to be lost in all the shopping and commercialism.
A Saratoga See’s candy employee had accidentally dropped a familiy heirloom diamond ring into a candy bag. She thought it was gone forever. A week later, a San Jose lady return the ring to the woman. Read the whole story at the San Jose Mercury News. You might need a kleenex. It’s a touching story. Click Here
Family,Friday, December 23, 2005
Matthew’s first formal photo shoot. He just might be on his way to a modeling career.
We took out a large backdrop that had been hidden in the garage and draped it from our second story loft. All the lighting is from the huge sliding glass windows that cover the front half of the room.
He’s wearing a special outfit sent to us by Moma Lynn in Alabama. In some of the photos, he’s holding a very special bear that was made for him at the Build a Bear by his uncle Jared.
Please let us know what is your favorite photo. We want to enter the best photo into the Nikon Coolpix photo contest. The winner receives a $25,000 U.S. saving bond for college. See all the photos in the gallery. Click Here
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